Written by Meghana Sree
After months of speculation, Carlos signs a contract. It has been announced that Carlos Sainz will continue to race in Formula One, penning a contract with Williams for 2025. The Spaniard will partner Alex Albon at the team from next year.
Completing a four-year tenure at Scuderia Ferrari, Sainz will be extending his nearly decade-long F1 career, heading to the team from Grove for 2025 and beyond.
Sainz is undoubtedly relieved to have finally made up his mind for the future. Regarding his move, he remarked:
“I am very happy to announce that I will be joining Williams Racing from 2025 onwards. It is no secret that this year’s driver market has been exceptionally complex for various reasons and that it has taken me some time to announce my decision.
"However, I am fully confident that Williams is the right place for me to continue my F1 journey and I am extremely proud of joining such a historic and successful team, where many of my childhood heroes drove in the past and made their mark on our sport.
"The ultimate goal of bringing Williams back to where it belongs, at the front of the grid, is a challenge that I embrace with excitement and positivity.
"I am convinced that this team has all the right ingredients to make history again and, starting on January 1, I will give my absolute best to drive Williams forward alongside every single member of the team."
The Spanish driver will race alongside Alex Albon, who is on a contract with the Grove-based team until the end of 2026. Sainz himself has accepted a multi-year contract, an indication of his desire for long-term stability, and to head into the new era of engine regulations with a year of experience under his belt.
Team principal James Vowles has spoken highly of wanting excellence within the team, remarking:
"Carlos joining Williams is a strong statement of intent from both parties. Carlos has demonstrated time and again that he is one of the most talented drivers on the grid, with race-winning pedigree, and this underlines the upwards trajectory we are on. Carlos brings not just experience and performance, but also a fierce drive to extract every millisecond out of the team and car; the fit is perfect.
“In Alex and Carlos we will have one of the most formidable driver line-ups on the grid and with huge experience to guide us into the new regulations in 2026. Their belief in this organisation’s mission demonstrates the magnitude of the work going on behind the scenes.
"People should be in no doubt about our ambition and momentum as we continue our journey back to competitiveness – we are here, we are serious and with Dorilton’s backing we are investing in what it takes to return to the front of the grid."
Sainz has had a commendable final season at Ferrari thus far, with a win in Australia, five podiums, and fifth position in the Drivers’ Championship.
The Spaniard’s dominance at Australia, despite missing the previous round at Jeddah due to his appendicitis, has surely proven his value as a driver. Furthermore, his ability to consistently deliver results in the face of uncertainty for 2025 was appreciated by numerous people.
Sainz entered the 2024 season with the weight of his departure from Ferrari, overshadowed by the headlines of Lewis Hamilton’s shock move to the Italian team.
The 29-year old remained tight-lipped about his options for the upcoming season, and while every other team’s offer was on the table, Sainz held out and picked Williams as his best bet going forward.
His reliable performance combined with Williams ever-improving form provides for an exciting combination heading into the future.
The confirmation of his move will now send the driver market into a frenzy, as the cork in the bottle has been popped, and the rest of the dominoes will start to fall into place to form the grid for the 2025 Formula One season!
Comments